Hundreds of new wildlife records were added to Llanwrtyd Well’s biodiversity database after residents gathered for a ‘ Wildlife Bioblitz’.

More than fifty people came together last month to survey the local wildlife and fauna as part of its continuing effort to boost local biodiversity and enhance the enviornment for different insects.

The area previously only held two records in its biodiversity database meaning that a lot of the bugs, plantst and other creatures found were recorded as ‘new species’ for the area.

The Recreation For All community group came together with the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) for the organised wildlife Bioblitz at Dolwen Fields.

The Bioblitz, which took place on Tuesday, May 31, was supported by Green Connections Powys, a project involving the three Powys wildlife trusts - WTSWW, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, and Montomgeryshire Wildlife Trust.

The project helps community groups, small businesses, landowners, and councils throughout Powys to take action against climate change and biodiversity loss.

Green Connections Powys was supported by the Biodiversity Information Service (BIS) and the Mid Wales Red Squirrel Project.

Residents put out light traps in their gardens the night before, which caught a number of moths including White Ermine.

Species were found in the river which are not usually seen in the area - highlights included a Stone Loach fish, dragonfly larvae and river skaters.

Bugman, Phil Ward, led an expedition to find lots of flying bugs with nets bigger than some of the children.

Recording experts looked for plants, lichens, fungi and mosses. The children did wildlife themed craft activities, helped to build a huge bug hotel - a retreat for insects - and made promises to help nature for #30dayswild.

The community group have been working to make the field more accessible for people as well as encouraging wildlife.

An accessible path encircles the rugby field and community members are also using the space to grow vegetables. The sensory garden has many plants for pollinators.

Trees have been planted and a wildflower area behind the pavilion, which took a while to establish initially, is now showing promise.

At the event last month, The Green Connection Powys team gave parting advice to the group on how to maintain the area.

Ben Mullen from BIS said: “Thank you to everyone for your help with seeking out wildlife.

“There were only two wildlife records on the database for Dolwen Fields before this event so all of these discoveries are new species.

“Wildlife Records like these help us to put wildlife on the map so we know what lives where.”

The project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.